Poland is seeking to enlist border guards and police from Finland, Germany, and Greece to assist in patrolling its frontier with Belarus, according to a senior official.
The move comes amid growing concerns over migration pressures from the east into Europe.
“Preparations are underway and these are countries that are very experienced in border protection. Especially, for example, Greek experiences can be very useful,” the official told Reuters.
Finland’s border guard stated on Friday that Poland had not yet requested their assistance in patrolling the Belarus border, Reuters reported.
The border between Poland and Belarus has become a contentious issue, with Western officials accusing the Minsk government of using migrants brought in from outside Europe as a form of “hybrid warfare.”
“Preparations are underway and these are countries that are very experienced in border protection. Especially, for example, Greek experiences can be very useful,” the official told Reuters.
Finland’s border guard stated on Friday that Poland had not yet requested their assistance in patrolling the Belarus border, Reuters reported.
The border between Poland and Belarus has become a contentious issue, with Western officials accusing the Minsk government of using migrants brought in from outside Europe as a form of “hybrid warfare.”
According to the European Union’s border agency, Frontex, there was a nearly two-fold increase in attempts to cross into the EU along its eastern border in the first five months of 2024, although this route remains relatively small compared to other entry points into Europe.
Officials from Poland and Finland have recently cautioned that the number of people attempting to cross through Belarus or Russia could significantly escalate in the near future.
Greece is expanding its fencing along its border with Turkey, while Finland aims to close a new migrant route via Russia by increasing border guard patrols, employing drones and electronic detectors, and erecting fences.
Polish Defense Minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in an interview with public television on Thursday that migrants entering from Belarus might include individuals trained to attack Polish soldiers.
Warsaw’s centrist government plans to raise these concerns at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next week.
Earlier this week, Germany and Poland unveiled a joint action plan that includes discussions on enhancing defense cooperation, bolstering NATO’s presence on the alliance’s eastern flank, and coordinating aid to Ukraine.
Officials from Poland and Finland have recently cautioned that the number of people attempting to cross through Belarus or Russia could significantly escalate in the near future.
Greece is expanding its fencing along its border with Turkey, while Finland aims to close a new migrant route via Russia by increasing border guard patrols, employing drones and electronic detectors, and erecting fences.
Polish Defense Minister Władyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in an interview with public television on Thursday that migrants entering from Belarus might include individuals trained to attack Polish soldiers.
Warsaw’s centrist government plans to raise these concerns at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington next week.
Earlier this week, Germany and Poland unveiled a joint action plan that includes discussions on enhancing defense cooperation, bolstering NATO’s presence on the alliance’s eastern flank, and coordinating aid to Ukraine.
Source: Reuters
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